Review: The Gender Game by Bella Forrest

The Gender Game

Author: Bella Forrest

Release Date: September 24, 2016

Publisher: Self-Published

The Gender Game Book #1

ASIN:   B01I77SNR4

Genre: Dystopian

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

A toxic river divides nineteen-year-old Violet Bates's world by gender.
Women rule the East. Men rule the West.
Welcome to the lands of Matrus and Patrus...

Ever since the death of her mother, Violet's life has been shadowed by bad luck. Already a prisoner to her own nation, now after two unfortunate incidents resulting in womanslaughter, she has been sentenced to death.

But one decision could save her life.

One decision to enter the kingdom of Patrus, where men rule and women submit.

Everything about the patriarchy defies Violet's identity, but she must sacrifice everything if she wishes to survive the forbidden kingdom... including forbidden love.

I have only read one of Bella Frost's books in the past, but the blurb to THE GENDER GAMES was interesting enough for me to agree to read and review it.

I enjoyed Violet for the most part. Trouble seemed to find her a lot and at some points she seemed to get into trouble just to get into trouble. For someone whom is on a secret mission and needs to be covert, she lacked the ability to think about the rules in her new city quite a bit. Other than that I liked her just fine.

I really enjoyed the storyline, but the pace was way too slow in a lot of THE GENDER GAMES and the storyline had some filler things that I felt could have been left out or shortened. I really wanted action, but got slow and hesitant instead for most of the book. This of course ruined some of the flow for me.

The romance was lacking. There is some minor interest between Violet and her husband Lee. Their marriage was a business arrangement so I didn't really expect anything to come of it besides that and after the blow up at the end of THE GENDER GAME, I am glad they weren't romantically involved.  I REALLY wanted more from Violet and Viggo. There is some major attraction and interest from the two, but besides one kiss, they held back. There is always book two. 

There was some major bombs at the end of THE GENDER GAME and we were then left hanging. I have a lot of questions and want to see some things happen, so THE GENDER SECRET is on my radar.  

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.